Techniques of Cooking (6 Week Series)
This series is designed to teach the novice home chef and budding culinarian the essentials for everyday cooking and entertaining. You will also learn proper food handling, food safety, and basic knife skills that will elevate your cooking ability to the next level.

Week 1 – Knife Skills: Kick off this in-depth series by slicing and dicing your way to culinary proficiency. Learn how to select and sharpen knives, practice a variety of cuts, and work with uniquely shaped vegetables.
Week 2 – Eggs: Did you know the 100 folds of a classic chefs’ toque are said to represent the many ways a chef can cook an egg. Learn about the science of cooking an egg in many forms from whole to yolks and whites to foams. Recipes may include hollandaise sauce, omelets, soufflés, and custards.
Week 3 – Soups and Stocks: A good stock is the foundation of all great cooking. Start with the basics: beef, chicken, veal, and vegetable stocks. From these bases, you will make a variety of soups, like Southwest squash, fennel corn chowder, and vichyssoise.
Week 4 – Dry Heat Cooking: Discover the difference between radiant, conduction, and convection heat sources through roasting, grilling, and sautéing. You’ll learn and practice with the cuts of meat best cooked by the dry heat method. Possible recipes include skirt steak, grilled swordfish verde, and honey spiced pork.
Week 5 – Moist Heat Cooking: Learn the braising, stewing, and poaching methods categorized as moist heat cooking. Utilize the stove top and oven to discover differences between techniques, and the benefits of using aromatic stocks. Tackle recipes such as Ossobuco, braised short ribs, and rabbit fricassee.
Week 6 – Master Sauces: Nothing elevates good home cooking like a masterful sauce! This course will explore the classic mother sauces and their myriad of flavors, textures, and colors. Applying the skills you’ve honed over the past five weeks, you’ll learn the secret to making a truly impressive dish.

Techniques of Cooking II (6 Week Series)
After mastering some impressive skills and techniques in Techniques of Cooking I, you will want to take your abilities to the next level. Learn additional techniques for preparing vegetables, chicken, meat, fish, and pasta; and make it all come together in a complete meal sure to wow even the pickiest dinner guests.

Week 1 – Vegetables, Grains, and Beans: Some techniques are best suited for cooking spring/summer vegetables, while others are best for fall/winter vegetables. Learn the differences while preparing soups, salads, sides, and vegetarian entrées.
Week 2 – Poultry: Buying a whole chicken is more economical than buying parts, so it’s time you learned some de-boning methods, dividing the whole chicken into workable parts. Practice your moist heat and dry heat cooking skills while turning chicken breasts, wings, and legs into novel dishes.
Week 3 – Meat: No one wants under or overcooked meat. Take the angst out of cooking meat by learning how to properly prepare different cuts of beef, pork, and lamb following the best methods for each protein type and cut. You’ll build complete dishes with pan sauces and sides.
Week 4 – Fish: Living in New England, you’ve got to learn how to properly cook fish! Practice techniques of preparing fin fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. You’ll incorporate many of the cooking techniques you’ve mastered up to this point, preparing some delicious seafood dishes sure to impress your friends and family.
Week 5 – Pasta: Who doesn’t love fresh pasta? This class covers the fundamentals of pasta making like rolling, cutting, filling, and pairing pasta shapes with sauces. You will make dough from scratch, form pasta in many shapes, and make some bold and flavorful sauces to complete each dish.
Week 6 – Company’s Coming: You are now ready to flaunt those skills! Working with the techniques and cooking methods covered in Techniques of Cooking I and the first 5 weeks of this series, build a complete menu to impress any dinner guests from appetizers though dessert.

Techniques of Baking (4 Week Series)
If you think baking is too precise or difficult, this class will transform you! Learn the basic techniques of yeast breads and delicious, yet simple cakes. Impress friends and family with scrumptious cream puffs, breads, pie crusts, and cakes.

Week 1 – Pâte à Choux: Discover the art of making pâte à choux, also known as cream puff paste. You will prepare and sample dishes such as assorted savory gougère, cream puffs, Éclairs, and show-stopping cream puff swans!
Week 2 – Pies and Tarts: Explore the fundamentals of making the perfect pâte brisée (pie crust). You’ll make the dough from scratch, learn how to roll it out, and use it in various recipes like frangipane fruit tarts, praline sweet potato pie, and cranberry crumb pie.
Week 3 – Breads: Work with yeast doughs, rich doughs, and batter doughs from start to finish. Learn how to knead, shape, and bake focaccia, rosemary garlic bread, maple-pecan sticky buns, and classic French bread.
Week 4 – Cakes: The next birthday cake is on you! Learn the techniques and recipes for butter cakes like rich flourless chocolate cake and carrot cake, and develop some simple decorating techniques utilizing an array of different buttercream, ganache, and simple glazes.

Techniques of Baking II (4 Week Series)
Now that you’ve gained knowledge and mastered the skills from Techniques of Baking, let us take you further. Impress your friends and family with light cakes, flaky puff pastry, sweet meringues, and the most decadent chocolate desserts and luscious dessert sauces.

Week 1 – Puff Pastry: Learn how to fold butter into flaky pastry dough that serves as a base for tons of sweet and savory dishes. Focusing on the classic French method for making and handling puff pastry, you’ll learn the classic recipe and techniques and the method for making a “quick puff.” With these bases made, you’ll create sweet and savory treats like Palmiers, Napoleons, and turnovers.
Week 2 – Meringues: Let’s start whipping your skills into shape. You’ll be amazed at how many incredible recipes start with egg whites. Explore the possibilities with recipes like Italian meringue buttercream, Bavarian cream, and French dacquoise.
Week 3 – Cakes II: We love a good butter cake, but these light-as-air sponge cakes will transport you right into a European bakery. Learn to make classic sponge cake, ladyfingers, and the French classic Génoise. You’ll also make an array of buttercreams and ganache, focusing on artful assembly and presentation.
Week 4 – Chocolate: Chocolate lovers rejoice! It’s time to learn a bit about the rich history of chocolate, discover great sources for buying chocolate, and develop proper tempering techniques. You’ll wrap up the series by making some truly decadent desserts like chocolate soufflés and truffles.

Just Cakes! (4 Week Series)
We think Julia Child said it best: “A party without cake is just a meeting.” Whether vanilla, chocolate, simple, elaborate, layered, bundt, or otherwise, cake holds a special place in our hearts. Join our cake-only techniques series to learn new techniques, styles, and recipes for cake preparation and decorating. From classic to modern and everything in between, practice decorating with butter cream, whipping up genoise, or creating luscious fillings to brighten every event with the ultimate symbol of celebration.

Week 1 – Foam Cakes: Foam cakes are light, airy cakes made of flour, sugar, eggs, and in some cases butter. The fluffiness comes from beating air into egg whites, which lets any subtle flavors shine. We love these cakes at tea time!
Week 2 – Butter Cakes: Butter cakes, like pound cake, are made with significant quantities of butter and a chemical leavening product such as baking soda or baking powder to build up heft. Our butter cake recipes include jams, ganache, buttercream fillings, and frosting to create showstopping centerpieces.
Week 3 – Flourless Cakes: These naturally gluten-free cakes make dessert accessible to our gluten-intolerant friends and those with Celiac disease. We also love them for their rich, decadent flavor and versatility.
Week 4 – Tortes and Layer Cakes: Typically made with many eggs and little flour, these luscious beauties are often filled with layers and layers of whipped cream, buttercream, mousse, jam, or fruit. They’re often reserved for upscale or elaborate evening celebrations where the dessert is the star of the whole menu.

Cooking Couples Authentic Tacos
Let’s taco ‘bout this fun class! Make marinades, quick seasonings, tortillas from scratch, and various fillings from grilled chicken thighs to guajillo-beer braised beef short ribs. Several sweet and spicy salsas will take your taco game right over the edge of excellence!

Cooking Couples Baja Mexico
Along the border of Mexico and California lies a cuisine destined for greatness: Cali-Baja. This Californian-Mexican-Mediterranean fusion of flavors and ingredients is quite possibly the best representation of Southern California’s mentality and lifestyle…as presented through food. Enjoy the bright flavors and fresh ingredients of a West Coast surf and turf with your favorite foodie.

Cooking Couples Burgers and Beer
A CSCA favorite! Learn how to make a perfect classic burger and discover recipes for new and trendy burger creations. Review the process of choosing the meat, seasonings, and toppings; and make perfect crispy beer-battered onion rings to serve with this burger bonanza. Enjoy local craft beer pairings with your burgers and complete the evening with a backyard BBQ classic: brownie sundaes with homemade ice cream.

Cooking Couples Cajun Creole
The Big Easy just got easier! Learn to cook one of our country’s oldest and most diverse cuisines—Cajun Creole. This popular cooking style dates back over two hundred years, and is influenced by the French, Spanish, Native Americans, Haitians, and Africans. Join us in bringing Bourbon Street to Mass. Ave!

Cooking Couples City of Lights
Channel your inner Frenchman or woman on a night of decadence and delight fit for a Parisian bistro. Enjoy classic French dishes and rich flavors that make indulgence worthwhile. As the great Julia Child once said, “if you’re afraid of butter, use cream.”

Cooking Couples Everyday Dinners
Are you tired of making the same thing for dinner, but don’t have the time or energy to think of something new? Our idea of everyday meals means delicious food that can be prepared in advance or after work with little effort. Easily adaptable to your lifestyle, this menu introduces a world of new flavors to incorporate into your weekly routine.

Cooking Couples French
Nothing says romance quite like France, from the beautiful mountains of the Jura to the luscious coast of Provence. Enjoy a bounty of elegant, delicious foods that just may trick you into believing you jetted off to the French countryside for the night.

Cooking Couples Gluten-Free Weeknight Dinners
Finding inspiration across the globe, we explore gluten-free recipes that don’t skip on flavor. From Texas to India, we gathered our favorite dishes that don’t require a full pantry of specialty flours and xantham gums to replicate. No tricks and no substitutions here. Just delicious, gluten-free dinners designed to satisfy every night of a busy workweek.

Cooking Couples Greek
Join us in a celebration of Greek cooking, which emphasizes seasonal vegetables and fresh seafood simply prepared with olive oil, lemon, and herbs. Create some traditional and non-traditional Greek favorites from spanakopita to baklava with cinnamon and pistachios.

Cooking Couples Italian
Influenced by many different cultures, Italian cuisine is one of the most popular the world over. Incorporating local, seasonal ingredients into the recipes, Italian cuisine varies from region to region. Enjoy a range of dishes typically found throughout the country: hearty, rib-sticking dishes from the alpine to vegetable-based dishes found in the south.

Cooking Couples Indian
Indian cuisine maximizes flavor and aroma with toasted spices to warm up your soul. With its exotic ingredients, lengthy recipes, and tongue-tingling flavors, Indian cuisine can be both exciting and intimidating. Tackle the unfamiliar and prepare a selection of dishes with your partner, incorporating the many cooking styles and flavors of regional India.

Cooking Couples Japanese Pub Food
Picture a cozy neighborhood watering hole with bold, flavorful dishes in the heart of Tokyo. This is an izakaya, a casual Japanese establishment where friends and coworkers often gather to unwind with drinks and small shared plates. Like most bar snacks, the food is salty, savory, and satisfying! Join us for an evening of charcoal-grilled yakitori (chicken skewers), miso marinated fish, and more umami-packed flavors of Japan.

Cooking Couples Mediterranean Journey
What is it about Mediterranean food that sends us all dreaming? Recipes often call for whole grains and legumes, olive oil, and plenty of vegetables resulting in nutritional power and flavor galore! It’s as if the heart healthy bold, fresh flavors send us straight to the Turkish coast or Greek islands. Join us for an evening of delicious Mediterranean fair sure to trigger your wanderlust.

Cooking Couples Mezze
The tradition of serving mezze, or a spread of savory appetizers, has many origins and interpretations throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East. But whether you hail from Greece, Morocco or Lebanon, mezze always means hospitality. These are the foods you serve your family and guests at the start of a meal, signaling the time to relax, enjoy each other’s’ company and revel in the pleasures of the palate. Ranging from simple spreads and pickles to elaborate salads, savory pastries, and meats, the variety of mezze is staggering, and the flavors, aromas, and textures are addictive.

Cooking Couples Pizza and Wings Night
Join us for a night of saucy, dough-slinging, pizza-tossing fun. Make pizza dough from scratch and create some one-of-a-kind pizzas that range from traditional to funky and new. Top the evening off with the winning recipes from our CSCA professional students’ chicken wing contest, a little wine, and something sweet for dessert.

Cooking Couples Provence
The food of Provence is heavily influenced by the flavors of the Mediterranean, leading to lighter fare than that found in a Parisian bistro. With its emphasis on sun-ripened vegetables, fresh herbs, goat cheeses, and olive oil, traditional Provencal cuisine blends intense flavors and simple ingredients. And of course, most dishes pair best with a glass of rosé!

Cooking Couples Pub Night
After a long week, we’re suckers for some good, old-fashioned British pub fare! While we add a bit of modern day refinement to some our favorite classic recipes, most are perfect just as they are. Join us and raise a glass to some of the best food from Old England, right here in New England.

Cooking Couples Romantic Dinners
Romance your way into your favorite foodie’s heart through the language of food. From cozy French bistros to upscale Boston restaurants, these classic recipes can be found on many Valentine’s Day menus as they’re considered to be some of the world’s most romantic. Prepare a meal fit for royalty with the king or queen in your life and enjoy a night of oohs and ahs as you revel in the divine indulgence of this menu.

Cooking Couples Seasonal
Our seasonal cooking classes feature techniques and flavors best suited for each season, highlighting local ingredients from New England. Each class presents recipes that show off our favorite vegetables and fruits when they hit peak flavor, so you can create impressive, seasonally-appropriate multi-course meals every time of year. Learn the techniques with your partner and head to your local produce stand, farmer’s market, or CSA and put these recipes to test at home!

Cooking Couples Spanish
Spanish cuisine, with its unique and fascinating centuries-old culinary tradition, rustic Mediterranean palate, and flair for innovation, is so much more than trendy tapas. Explore the robust and flavorful flavors from bright green olive oil to spicy chorizo that keep the Spanish fiesta going into the morning hours.

Cooking Couples Spanish Caribbean
The food of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Cuba is the delicious result of more than 500 years of history, blending American Indian and African ingredients with Spanish culinary traditions. Explore the hearty home cooking of these island nations, where each meal is a celebration of life and loved ones.

Cooking Couples Sushi
Sushi can be as intimate and playful as the cook desires, a feast for the eyes and the stomach! Bring your favorite foodie to learn about the art of sushi making, including the tools, sashimi-grade fishes, ingredient selection, rolling techniques, and seasonings. Practice your craft and enjoy a fun night out making classic sushi rolls, inside-out rolls, sushi omelets, and more.

Cooking Couples Tapas
Tapas refers to Spanish small plates enjoyed before dinner or late into the night with sangria or vermouth cocktails. The food and wine of Spain is seductive, earthy, robust, and flavorful. Enjoy a bounty of tapas (small plates) like stuffed piquillo peppers, lamb albondigas (meat balls), and salt cod fritters.

Cooking Couples Thai
The magical flavor-packed cuisine of Thailand is on stage as we explore the foods of an extraordinary country, from its famed curry houses to its peasant-style dishes. Savor bold dishes that capture the best of Thai cuisine, highlighting exotic ingredients like galangal, kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, and tamarind.

Cooking Couples Vegan Comfort Foods
Lead a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle? This class highlights delicious foods that will leave you wanting more whether you are vegan or not. Utilizing vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds – both common and exotic – we will show you how to make some fan-favorite comfort foods that come from the earth.

Cooking Couples Vegetarian Indian
Indian cuisine maximizes flavor and aroma with toasted spices to warm up your soul, and Indian vegetarian foods are among the most flavorful and the most varied around. Grab your partner and learn critical techniques for preparing Indian foods from toasting spices to making fresh paneer. Together, prepare and enjoy a selection of hearty vegetarian dishes incorporating the many cooking styles and flavors of regional India.

Cooking Couples Vegetarian Tapas
Tapas, the Spanish custom of sharing lots of little plates, is making its way to the American table. The food is seductive, earthy, robust, flavorful, and completely vegetarian for this class. These innovative and delicious small plates are sure to satisfy even the most carnivorous person.

Flavors of the Mediterranean (6 Week Series)
As the people of the Mediterranean discovered long ago, fresh ingredients, simply prepared with olive oil, garlic, herbs and spices, are perfect for sharing around a table with family and friends. Rooted in ancient traditions, and spanning 21 countries, the Mediterranean way of eating largely includes plant-based foods – vegetables and fruits, beans and nuts, healthy grains, fish, olive oil, small amounts of meat and dairy, and red wine. Travel along the Mediterranean coast, basing your journey in some of the major historical trading cities, and explore the cooking techniques, flavor profiles, and ingredients appearing along the way.

Week 1 – Thessaloniki and the glories of Greece: Thessaloniki is a paradise for foodies, best known for quality, variety, and the mixing of traditional recipes with modern trends. This cuisine is characterized by the use of feta, olives, and honey, as well as spices such as oregano, mint, dill, and thyme.
Week 2 – Naples, Palermo and the South of Italy: The foundation in the history of Italian cooking. Southern Italian cuisine is filled with bold flavors showcased by tomatoes, olive oil, and plenty of fresh herbs.
Week 3 – Marseilles, Barcelona, Seville (The French and Spanish Mediterranean coasts): A healthy yet flavorful menu flows through the coast. Tastes of fresh seafood, garlic, legumes, herbs, and vegetables unite these regions.
Week 4 – Algiers and the Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia): These regions offer a rich cuisine filled with semolina breads, couscous, and meat seasoned with a distinctive mixture of spices.
Week 5 – Beirut, Damascus, and Jerusalem – The Levant (Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Israel): Levantine cuisine is filled with fresh herbs and spices like cumin, turmeric, and cardamom, as well as a variety of nuts and beans. Popular dishes include hummus, falafel, and shawarma, but there is so much more this region has to offer.
Week 6 – Constantinople and the Sultan’s Kitchens (Istanbul, Turkey): A rich history has given this region its well-deserved reputation as a leader in simple foods with bold flavor.

Regions of Asia (6 Week Series)
From the mountainous, spice-filled lands of western China to the extreme flavor profiles of tropical Thailand. Unravel some of the mystery behind many of the most prominent recipes and cooking techniques while discovering similarities and differences throughout the lands. Survey a different region each week and learn the essential techniques and subtle flavor secrets that make each specific cuisine so appealing. Explore and demystify the ingredients critical to the Asian pantry, bringing unique new flavor profiles to your culinary repertoire.

Week 1 – South China & Canton: One of the most gastronomically renown and adventurous regions of China. Dishes are delicately seasoned to bring out natural flavors, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and sharp technique.
Week 2 – Northeast China: This harsh climate produces hearty, bold, and flavorful dishes. Wheat is the staple crop of Northern China, so the cuisine is largely defined by noodles, dumplings, steamed buns, and pancakes.
Week 3 – Central & West China: Spicy and pungent flavors are characteristic of West and Central China. Perhaps best known is the Sichuan Province, famous for its particularly numbing and spicy flavors resulting from liberal use of garlic and chili peppers, and the unique numbing Sichuan peppercorn.
Week 4 – Japan & Korea: These cuisines share many similarities, but the specialties from each have their own meaning and cultural symbolism pointing to their origins. Both cuisines emphasize rice (surprise!), a lot of vegetables, and red meat or fish.
Week 5 – Vietnam: A varied landscape is truly reflected in Vietnamese cuisine. Textures and flavors contrast and complement each other to provide a rounded and unique culinary experience.
Week 6 – Thailand: There’s no shortage of flavor in this bold cuisine. Thai dishes often are not considered satisfying unless they combine four tastes: sweet, sour, salty, and spicy.

Regions of France (6 Week Series)
From its lush valleys to its majestic Alpine peaks and azure Riviera coastline, France possesses a wealth of regional cuisines, each enduring over centuries. Put aside haute cuisine and fine dining to study the simple pleasures of the delicious and approachable French food you’ll find in homes and bistros. Join us on this journey as we discover the rich cuisine of the bourgeois and peasant classes that typify French regional cooking. Bon appétit!

Week 1 – Normandy: The food of Normandy is simple, but rich, thanks to the generous use of butter and cream. It is most known for apple beverages including Calvados (apple brandy) and world-renowned cheeses like Camembert.
Week 2 – Touraine: Touraine is located in the heart of the Loire Valley vineyard stretching from the Sancerre area all the way to the ocean and is known for exceptional foods and even tastier wine.
Week 3 – Burgundy: Home to beautiful scenery and delicious food, this region’s cuisine features garlic, fresh veggies, rich meats, and delicious Burgundy wine to cook with and drink.
Week 4 – Dauphine and Savoy: The French Alps are most known for hearty mountain fair, rustic dishes, and Comté – a delicious cheese found in every home in France.
Week 5 – Southwest of France: In the southwest region of France, the emphasis is on rich foods. Duck, foie gras, prunes, oysters, mushrooms and truffles are but a few specialties found in many dishes.
Week 6 – Provence: More in line with Mediterranean neighbors than France’s northern regions, Provencal cuisine emphasizes sun-ripened vegetables, seafood, fresh herbs and a liberal helping of olive oil in every dish.

Regions of Italy (6 Week Series)
Discover the beautiful land of Italy and the flavors and cuisines that define each region, traveling from north to south. Recipes highlight the dishes of each region, showcasing ingredients, cooking style, and ethnic influences comprising the local flavors. If you love classic Italian food, you’ll have a ball studying the intricacies of the world’s most iconic cuisines. Buon appetito!

Week 1 – Piedmont: Translated to “at the foot of the mountain,” Piedmont is crowned by the Alps and is one of Italy’s best-kept food secrets. The cuisine is hearty, simple, and soothing.
Week 2 – Emilia Romagna: Largely considered the gastronomical and culinary heart of Italy, this northeast region is the origin of Italian staples Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and Balsamic vinegar!
Week 3 – Tuscany: This region owes its legacy to the Etruscans, who lived in northern and central Italy 3000 years ago and loved food, wine, and art. Unlike its northern neighbors, Tuscany favors unfussy, rustic foods dressed with olive oil rather than heavy sauce.
Week 4 – Lazio: Home to Rome and Vatican City, the Lazio region has always been at the hub of Italian culture. The food is made up of wholesome and iconic dishes that are quick and easy to cook.
Week 5 – Campania: Best known worldwide for pizza, Campania’s cuisine relies on sun dried vegetables, fresh farmhouse cheese, and local seafood to create bright, simple dishes.
Week 6 – Sicily: This food of this island has absorbed influences from its many invaders including the Greeks, Arabs, Normans, and Spanish. The result is a cuisine full of delightful distinctions from Italian food to the north.

Regions of Spain (6 Week Series)
Spanish cuisine, with its unique and fascinating centuries-old culinary tradition, rustic Mediterranean palate, and flair for innovation, is joining the ranks of the world’s great cuisines and capturing the attention of American food lovers. Examine the customs and culture of each destination through its culinary delights. Explore the rich flavors from bright green olive oil to spicy chorizo that have kept Spain deservedly in our culinary spotlight.

Week 1 – Northwest – Galicia, Asturia, Cantabria: A region well known for its seafood, the northwest also boasts a variety of meat dishes that are both simple and flavorful.
Week 2 – Madrid and the Central Plains: Touted as the culinary capital of Spain, this melting pot of culinary delights delivers rustic and delicious dishes to pair with Manchego and some of the region’s finest olives.
Week 3 – Andalusia: Equally influenced by the land and sea, Andalusian cuisine highlights the exotic spices and ingredients introduced when the Moors invaded from North Africa several hundred years ago.
Week 4 – Valencia and The Mediterranean Coast: Seafood, citrus, and rice are dominating culinary forces in this culturally diverse region.
Week 5 – Catalonia: A generous and varied selection of fish, meat, and vegetables abound in Catalunya. Its coastal location and mountainous landscape provide the perfect background for imaginative surf ‘n turf meals.
Week 6 – Basque Country (Basque, Navarra): As far as food goes, the Basque country just may be the most important tourist destination in Spain. This coastal and border region boasts a rich gastronomic history with a mix of French and Spanish influences. Basque cuisine is truly unique.

French Macarons
Did you know that French Macarons have feet? Just imagine how you’ll impress once you master the skill! Create a traditional assortment of almond macarons with various fillings featuring passion fruit, coffee, and ganache. Sign up quickly – this is always one of our most popular classes.

Le Grand Classic – Opéra Gateau & Sachertorte
Master two of the most famous and decadent cakes from France and Vienna. Opéra gâteau is an elaborate almond sponge cake soaked in coffee syrup, layered with chocolate ganache and coffee buttercream, and topped with chocolate icing. Sachertorte is a classic Viennese cake composed of two dense chocolate cakes separated by a thin layer of apricot jam, and enveloped in dark chocolate icing, traditionally served with unsweetened whipped cream. Make the cake, cream fillings, ganache, chocolate glazes, and syrups to learn the art of creating an elegant and decadent dessert from start to finish.

St. Honoré Workshop
The St. Honoré cake, also known as St. Honoratus cake, is named for the French patron saint of bakers and pastry chefs, Saint Honoré. It was invented in 1847 at the Chiboust bakery on Rue Saint-Honoré, in Paris. This classic French dessert is composed of a circle of puff pastry and a ring of pate à choux puffs dipped in caramelized sugar along the outer edge. The ring base is traditionally filled with creme chiboust (a decadent pastry cream) and finished with whipped cream using a special St. Honoré piping tip. Join us to make your very own rendition of this decadent classic!

Chocolates and Caramels (Two-Day Workshop)
Step into your own little confections shop of sweet and salty, rich and chewy caramel and chocolates. Filled with recipes to satisfy every sweet tooth, this two-day workshop covers the techniques for making perfectly chewy caramels and shiny tempered chocolates that yield a satisfying snap when you bite into them.

The Techniques of Cooking series cover the basics of general cookery from knife skills to complex cooking methods. The Techniques of Baking series cover pastry arts from breakfast croissants to elaborate desserts. Each of these series takes place within a one-week period.

Teen Techniques of Cooking (5 Day Series)
This is the perfect first step into the world of culinary arts for budding foodies! Discover the basics of general cookery, including food safety, knife skills, and both basic and complex cooking methods.

Day 1 – Knife Skills: Slice, dice, mince, and julienne your way to “sharper” culinary skills, working with a variety of uniquely shaped vegetables!
Day 2 – Soups, Stocks, & Salads: Build upon your knife skills by turning your perfectly chopped vegetables into delicious soups and salads.
Day 3 – Braising, Stewing, and Steaming: Immerse yourself in this liquid-based cooking technique by infusing meat and vegetables with your flavorful stocks to make hearty recipes.
Day 4 – Roasting, Grilling, and Sautéing: Seal in flavor with dry-rubs and olive oil as you cook up delicious dishes at the stove and grill.
Day 5 – Master Sauces: Discover the ultimate finishing touch to any culinary experience, as master sauces build upon flavors to transform the ordinary into extraordinary.

Teen Intermediate Techniques of Cooking (5 Day Series)
Whisk together the next chapter of your culinary excursion with even more cooking skills and techniques to practice. Learn to prepare full meals from start to finish, adding fun and finesse along the way with different culinary themes.

Day 1 – Grilling: Learn to control the heat, select the tools, and discover the endless possibilities beyond hot dogs and hamburgers that are unique to grilling.
Day 2 – Brunch: Discover the recipes and the simple plan-ahead techniques that make rolling out of bed exciting and worthwhile.
Day 3 – Pasta: Craft a selection of fresh pasta, made with your own two hands and naturally dyed with colorful herbs and vegetables to pair with flavorful sauces.
Day 4 – Comfort Foods: Explore our favorite fan-favorite comfort foods that always bring joy to family and friends.
Day 5 – Around the World: Join us on a whirlwind tour of the entire world to experience a few classic dishes and treats found beyond our borders.

Techniques of Baking (5 Day Series)
Explore pastry arts from yeast breads to simple, yet delicious cakes and doughnuts. Everything is made from scratch from start to finish, providing basic technique and ample opportunity for creative pastry arts expression.

Day 1 – Pâte à Choux: Pipe away to make assorted savory gougère, sweet cream puffs, eclairs, and show-stopping cream puff swans!
Day 2 – Pies and Tarts: Starting with perfect pâte brisée (pie crust), explore several fabulous pie and tart recipes for all seasons.
Day 3 – Breads: Learn the essential steps you “knead” to know such as proofing, shaping, and baking to produce a variety of classic breads.
Day 4 – Cakes: Explore the basic styles, recipes, techniques, and tricks that produce perfect birthday cakes and cupcakes.
Day 5 – Doughnuts: Learn to make classic yeasted doughnuts, delicious glazes, fillings, and top everything off with colorful sprinkles and decorations.

Intermediate Techniques of Baking (4 Day Series)
Take your baking skills to the next level with these more complex techniques. Learn and grow as a baker with a journey from delicate puff pastry to the wonderful world of chocolate.

Day 1 – Puff Pastry: Focus on the classic French method for making and handling puff pastry to create artful and delicious sweet and savory treats.
Day 2 – Meringues: Whip your baking skills into shape with light, fluffy meringue-based recipes from cookies to tortes.
Day 3 – Cakes II: Reach new baking heights with lighter-than-air sponge cakes layered with fruit preserves and buttercreams.
Day 4 – Introduction to Chocolate: Discover different methods of working with chocolate in various forms and learn why chocolate is integral in so many of our favorite sweet treats!

Advanced Techniques of Baking (4 Day Series)
Round out your pastry skills with twists on traditional styles and a venture further into the art of specialty baking. Pay close attention to all the artful details and solidify all you’ve learned in previous classes.

Day 1 – Cookies: Learn a different-styled approach to concocting creative versions of our favorite afternoon treat. These are not your average drop cookies!
Day 2 – Hand Pies: Take those pie skills you’ve mastered and learn how to make a perfect portable variation, from which the possibilities are endless.
Day 3 – Chocolate: Explore even more amazing chocolate recipes and learn how to create Willy Wonka worthy chocolatey treats.
Day 4 – Birthday Cakes: Design your own birthday cake and build it from scratch, letting your creativity shine with all the skills you’ve picked up along your baking adventure.

Teen Just Cakes! (4 Day Series)
Cake takes so many different forms that require a variety of techniques, that it’s impossible to cover all the basics of cakes in just one class. Discover different styles, practice new skills, and build intricate and distinct cakes each week to perfect the art of cake baking and decorating.

Day 1 – Batter Cakes: Kickoff your cake adventure with classic American batter cakes, learning the basics that will carry you through the next days.
Day 2 – Foam Cakes: Expand your horizons with light French and Italian genoise and airy chiffon cakes.
Day 3 – Rolled Cakes: Keep the fun rolling with this unique presentation that lends itself to classic holiday Yule logs.
Day 4 – Tortes: Explore taste and texture combinations with layered tortes built on a variety of complex flavors.

Teen Morning Bakeshop (3 Day Series)
Learn the tricks to perfecting the most popular bakery treats like muffins, rich breads, and croissants. You’ll be running a bustling bakeshop out of your own kitchen in no time!

Day 1 – Quick Breads: Cake for breakfast? Not quite, but some of our favorite flavorful muffins, scones, and tea cakes serve as a delightful morning treat!
Day 2 – Yeast Breads: Proof, knead, shape, and rise to the top of breadmaking glory with a delicious yeasted bread.
Day 3 – Viennese Pastry: Perfect your bakeshop skills with this final layer! Croissants and puff pastry are the most labor intensive of doughs to make, but the buttery layers also make them the most rewarding.

Bake Shop Basics for Pre-teens (3 Day Series for 8 to 12-year-olds)
For younger siblings longing to keep up with their teenage brothers and sisters, this series provides their chance to practice baking and decorating techniques in smaller, intimate classes.

Day 1 – Muffins and Cookies: Mix up the fruits, spiced, and chocolate-filled muffins and cookies that shine at the counter of every bakery.
Day 2 – Pies: Create flakey crusts and quick crumbles to highlight the best fruits of summer and sweeten up any backyard picnic.
Day 3 – Cupcakes: Bake up crowd-pleasing flavors and whip up classic buttercream recipes to pipe the most show-stopping decorations.

Teen All You Knead Bread Workshop
Get acquainted with a variety of classic breads. Learn the essential steps you “knead” to know such as proofing, shaping, and baking. Practice these new skills on our flavorful adventure into the world of bread making from sweet to savory, and crusty to chewy doughs.

Teen Cookie Bakeshop
As much as we love the classic chocolate chip (a Massachusetts original!), our favorite cookies come in all shapes, styles, and flavors. Discover new techniques, tricks, and creative flavor combinations to bake up a whole bakery’s worth of delicious cookies.

Teen Craving Chocolate
Cookies, cupcakes, and brownies, oh my! Chocolate is integral in so many of our favorite sweet treats that we think it deserves a moment in the spotlight. Learn about the many forms and varying flavor profiles of chocolate, tricks for bringing out the flavor, and recipes in which it shines.

Teen Cupcakes
Why settle for a single slice of cake, when you can have the whole (cup)cake? When everyone is baking different cupcake recipes, there are tons of great flavors to share and experience! Together, we’ll dive into the cake world to practice many baking techniques, buttercream recipes, and decorating tricks.

Teen Doughnuts
Discover what it takes to bring a simple fried dough to the next level. Learn to make classic yeasted doughnuts, delicious glazes, fillings, and top everything off with colorful sprinkles and decorations.

Teen Filled Pasta Workshop
Do you know all the pasta names? From tortellini to cappelletti, and ravioli to agnolotti, there are so many types of filled pasta to make from scratch. Learn how to roll pasta, make delicious fillings, shape and form each bite, and top with a sauce to match.

Teen Hand-cut Pasta Workshop
Craft a selection of fresh pasta, made with your own two hands and naturally dyed with colorful herbs and vegetables. Pair your noodles with flavorful sauces, and sautéed veggies or meat to best enjoy the pasta experience.

Teen No-Bake Dessert
These delicious crowd-pleasing recipes are the stars of summer for a very simple reason: no preheating your oven. Discover a different way to “bake” with fabulous treats that come together with mixture of stovetop and chill time.

Teen Pies Workshop
Flakey crusts and sweet fillings go together like summer and picnics. Learn to make the most of summer berries and buttery crusts by mastering the tricks to making our favorite backyard treat.

Teen Top This Pizza Workshop
Forget the pizzeria. Join us to make fresh pizza dough from scratch and top with a range of traditional and more creative toppings to design your own one-of-a-kind pizzas. You’ll be tossing dough in the air with finesse in no time!

The Teen Tours introduce future (and current) world travelers to the culinary wonders across the globe, bringing the best of each region to the CSCA kitchens. Each of these series takes place within a one-week period.

Teen Tour of Asia (5 Day Series)
From lemongrass to galangal, common ingredients from Asia can seem totally exotic. Explore and demystify the ingredients critical to the Asian pantry, bringing unique new flavor profiles to your culinary repertoire. We make it easy and approachable in this whirlwind tour!

Day 1 – South China: The delicious and delicately seasoned dishes emphasize sharp knife techniques and fresh ingredients like ginger and Chinese broccoli.
Day 2 – West China: Sichuan peppercorns add a unique heat to many dishes from Western China, but there are also plenty of less spicy dishes to go around.
Day 3: Thailand: There’s no shortage of flavor in this bold cuisine, which artfully blends sweet, sour, salty, and spicy components in its dishes.
Day 4 – Japan & Korean: While each country brings its own style and flare, both cuisines emphasize rice (surprise!), a lot of vegetables, and red meat or fish.
Day 5 – Vietnam: Textures and flavors contrast and complement each other to provide a rounded and unique culinary experience filled with fresh herbs and vegetables.

Teen Tour of France (5 Day Series)
From its lush valleys to its majestic Alpine peaks and azure Riviera coastline, France possesses a wealth of regional cuisines, each enduring over centuries. Put aside haute cuisine and fine dining to study the simple pleasures of the delicious and approachable French food found in homes and bistros. Bon appétit!

Day 1 – Normandy: The food of Normandy is simple, but rich, thanks to the generous use of butter and cream.
Day 2 – Touraine: Located in the heart of the Loire Valley, Touraine is known for exceptional foods, delicious cheese, and stunning scenery.
Day 3 – Burgundy: Home to beautiful scenery and delicious food, this region’s cuisine features garlic, fresh veggies, and rich meats.
Day 4 – Dauphine and Savoy: The French Alps are most known for hearty mountain fair, rustic dishes, and Comté – a delicious cheese that makes great fondue!
Day 5 – Provence: Enjoy sun-ripened vegetables, seafood, fresh herbs and a liberal helping of olive oil in every dish.

Teen Tour of Italy (5 Day Series)
There is so much more to Italian cuisine than spaghetti with meatballs! If you love classic Italian food, you’ll have a ball studying the intricacies of the world’s most iconic cuisines and preparing quick, nutritious, and authentic dishes. Buon appetito!

Day 1 – Piedmont: Translated to “at the foot of the mountain,” Piedmont is crowned by the Alps and is one of Italy’s best-kept food secrets. The cuisine is hearty, simple, and soothing.
Day 2 – Emilia Romagna: Largely considered the culinary heart of Italy, this northeast region is the origin of Italian staples Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and Balsamic vinegar!
Day 3 – Tuscany: Unlike its northern neighbors, Tuscany favors unfussy, rustic foods dressed with olive oil rather than heavy sauce.
Day 4 – Lazio: Home to Rome and Vatican City, the food here is made up of wholesome and iconic dishes that are quick and easy to cook.
Day 5 – Campania: Best known worldwide for pizza, Campania’s cuisine relies on sun dried vegetables, fresh cheese, and local seafood to create bright, simple dishes.

Teen Tour of the Mediterranean (5 Day Series)
Travel along the Mediterranean coast with a stop in many of the major historical trading cities to experience the variety of coastal cuisine. Explore the cooking techniques, flavor profiles, and popular ingredients along the way.

Day 1 –Greece: This paradise for foodies is best known for light, traditional dishes topped with a drizzle of olive oil and a hunk of feta.
Day 2 –Southern Italy: Italian coastal cuisine is showcased by fresh flavors like tomatoes, olive oil, and plenty of fresh herbs.
Day 3 – French and Spanish Coasts: You guessed it – there’s no shortage of olive oil in the cuisine along these coasts, but we also see delicious small bites (tapas) and fritters!
Day 4 – The Maghreb: Enjoy rich cuisine filled with semolina breads, couscous, and meat seasoned with a distinctive mixture of spices unlike any you’ve tried before.
Day 5 – The Levant: Levantine cuisine is home to popular foods including hummus, falafel, and shawarma, but there is so much more this region has to offer.

Teen Tour of Spain (5 Day Series)
Spanish flavors are bold and delicious with recipes deeply rooted in tradition, but the country also has a flair for innovation! Explore some of the recipes and cooking techniques that will leave you asking for more, por favor!

Day 1 – Galicia and the Northwest: A wide variety of seafood can be found in traditional dishes, due to the area’s traditional fishing economy.
Day 2 – Madrid and the Central Plains: Touted as the culinary capital of Spain, Madrid serves as a melting pot of culinary delights!
Day 3 – Andalucía: Equally influenced by the land and sea, Andalusian cuisine highlights exotic spices from North Africa.
Day 4 – Valencia and the Mediterranean Coast: Seafood, citrus, and rice are dominating culinary forces in this flavorful cuisine.
Day 5 – Basque Country: The delicious cuisine along the border of Spain and France is unlike any other. Enjoy the small bites called pintxos and tasty fritters.

Authentic Tacos
Let’s taco ‘bout this fun class! Make marinades, quick seasonings, tortillas from scratch, and various fillings from grilled chicken thighs to guajillo-beer braised beef short ribs. Several sweet and spicy salsas will take your taco game right over the edge of excellence!

Brunch
After a long week why not plan to have a midday feast with friends or family. Try some of these magnificent dishes like overnight sausage strata, chicken and waffles, and cherry coffee cake. Discover the recipes and the simple plan-ahead techniques that make rolling out of bed exciting and worthwhile.

Chicken Butchery 101
Build a solid foundation with the invaluable technique of chicken butchery, a skill that will save you flavor, time, and money in the kitchen. Learn how to cut a chicken into even pieces to make the most out of every bird. Each student will work with their own bird to “break it down” into chef-worthy pieces before we get cooking with some delicious chicken recipes.

Classic Sauces
Nothing elevates good home cooking like a masterful sauce! In today’s restaurants, the saucier isn’t the only cook responsible for preparing sauces. Line cooks, sous chefs, and even garde manger cooks must have expertise in sauce-making. Explore the classic mother sauces and their myriad of flavors, textures, and colors so you can start making restaurant-worthy dishes at home.

Farm to Table
Who says eating healthy can’t be tasty? Not us! Join our fresh and healthy workshop to discover several recipes and techniques to turn the best of your local farm stand or farmers’ market into delicious main and side dishes alongside sustainable meat and seafood. These easy weeknight preparations will make busy evenings more enjoyable for the whole family.

Fish Cookery
Learning how to shuck an oyster is a rite of passage for New England cooks! Practice techniques of preparing fin fish, shellfish, and crustaceans to whip up delicious seafood dishes that will impress your friends and family, whether they’re local or visiting.

Garden Party
Nothing beats vegetables freshly picked from your own garden. No garden you say? Take a trip to your local farmers’ market for the area’s finest selection of home-grown vegetables and fruits. The recipes and techniques featured in this class celebrate the warm weather bounty of summer produce. Enjoy dishes like grilled vegetables with rosemary, summer vegetable tarts, chilled avocado soup, and berry shortcake.

Gnocchi Workshop
Gnocchi (Italian for dumplings) is most recognized and prepared as a potato based favorite. Learn to make a variety of gnocchi using semolina flour, ricotta, and squash. From mini gnocchi sardi or gnocchetti (Southern Italy’s tiny pasta made with durum) to gnudi (delicious ricotta dumplings), you will make an assortment of phenomenal dishes.

Grill, Roast, and Deep Fry 101
Join us to practice the techniques that encourage the caramelization of flavors known as the Maillard Reaction. This chemical reaction between amino acids reduces sugars that gives browned foods its distinctive flavor. It’s what makes bread taste toasty and malty, burgers taste charred, and coffee taste deep and robust. Grill fish, roast pork, fry eggs, and tackle the cooking techniques that yield the browned, complex flavors we crave.

Indian Street Food
Anyone who’s every traveled abroad knows that street food is some of the most real, delicious, and inexpensive food one can acquire while visiting a new city. Get ready to virtually tour the streets of some of India’s most renowned cities and discover some exotic fan favorite dishes along the way.

Knife Skills
Time to slice and dice your way to culinary wizardry. Learn how to select and sharpen knives, practice a variety of cuts, and work with uniquely shaped vegetables. You’ll mince, julienne, brunoise, and “tourner” into a better cook in no time! As a bonus, our instructor will help turn your expertly cut vegetables into a delicious feast.

Pasta Workshop – Filled Pasta
This class is for those who aim to impress! The world of filled pastas is vast and flavorful. Discover many of our favorite Italian variations including familiar pasta shapes like ravioli and not so common shapes like caramelle (candy-shaped) and pansotti (half-moons). Complete each dish with a sauce made from scratch.

Pasta Workshop – Hand-Rolled Pasta
Explore the fundamentals of pasta making, including rolling, cutting, and pairing pasta shapes with sauces. Work from scratch, incorporate various colors and flavors into your dough, create many shapes, and complete each dish with some bold and flavorful sauces.

Preserving the Seasons
Homemade compound butters, chutneys, conserves, flavored oils, vinegars, condiments, and jams are a tasty and traditional way of preserving the bounties of the fall harvest. These accoutrements will turn ordinary fare into a gourmet extravaganza, and they double as impressive personalized gifts. Learn about preserving techniques and tools, and practice making your own compound butters, jams, and marmalades to bring home.

Risotto Workshop for the Seasons
At its simplest, risotto is a hearty, warming rice dish that meshes well with hundreds of ingredient combinations and stands up to tons of Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino. Discover the basic principles of risotto making from assessing rice types to building flavor layer by layer. Explore a multitude of recipes and discover just how brightly this Italian classic shines.

Sausage Making 101
Welcome to the land of charcuterie! Discover the equation for making a simple, yet mouthwatering sausage base from which the flavor possibilities are endless. Learn about balancing fat to lean muscle ratios and proper seasoning as you create sausage perfect grill-ready links from scratch. Your backyard gatherings will never be the same!

Soups and Stews
In this cooler weather, it’s great to warm up your home with a handful of delicious soups and stews. Learn what makes a great soup base, how to cook seasonally, and of course discover just what went into those slow-cooking stews that Grandma used to make all fall and winter. This workshop shows us just how approachable soups and stews should be.

South of the Border
Warm up your palate with tantalizing South of the Border cuisine. Use some staples of the cuisine – chiles, cilantro, tomatoes, lime, black beans, and corn – to create a modern twist on the authentic dishes of Mexico. Recipes may include grilled shrimp with Chipotle pepper sauce, pork tenderloin with macadamia nut peach salsa, and a spicy chocolate cake.

Southern Indian Cooking
Welcome to Southern Indian cooking! Learn to depict the flavors and nuances that create a culinary diversity and often times, rivalry, between Southern Indian cooking and the rest of India. From spice-filled sambar powder, the ever-tart tamarind, crepe-like dosas and of course, lentils, this class offers a different view into one of the world’s most exotic cooking styles.

Tapas
Tapas refers to Spanish small plates enjoyed before dinner or late into the night with sangria or vermouth cocktails. The food and wine of Spain is seductive, earthy, robust, and flavorful. Enjoy a bounty of tapas (small plates) like stuffed piquillo peppers, lamb albondigas (meat balls), and salt cod fritters.

The Art of Grilling
Not just for summer cookouts! Go beyond hamburgers and hot dogs and discover the endless possibilities that are unique to grilling. Once you’ve mastered the techniques and flavors of grilling, you’ll love grilling year-round. Learn to control the heat, select the best tools, explore the differences between dry rubs and marinades and make delicious dishes. Guaranteed to add some sizzle to your next backyard gathering.

Vegetarian Grilling
Grilling season is every season! Dust off your grill and fire it up, because we are about to delve into the flavor profiles and vegetarian meal ideas for any day of the week.

Vegetarian Indian Cuisine
Indian cuisine maximizes flavor and aroma with toasted spices to warm up your soul, and Indian vegetarian foods are among the most flavorful and the most varied around. Grab a friend or come solo to learn critical techniques for preparing Indian foods from toasting spices to making fresh paneer. In this workshop, we’ll prepare and enjoy a selection of hearty vegetarian dishes incorporating the many cooking styles and flavors of regional India.

Vegetarian Tapas
Tapas, the Spanish custom of sharing lots of little plates, is making its way to the American table. The food is seductive, earthy, robust, flavorful, and completely vegetarian for this class. These innovative and delicious small plates are sure to satisfy even the most carnivorous person.

All You Knead
Learn the basic techniques of bread making from kneading to proofing to baking. Our instructor will review various flour types, yeasts, and natural starters. Discover everything you “knead” to know to make delicious grissini, and breads like challah, sticky buns, focaccia, and cinnamon raisin bread.

A Love for Chocolate
Grab your favorite chocolate-loving friend or fly solo for a chocolate lover’s dream class. Learn the basics of chocolate tempering, create molded chocolates, infuse flavors into rolled truffles, and make stunning petit fours in this compact introductory workshop.

American Classic Cakes
Some classic recipes never go out of fashion. Did you know German chocolate cake originated in Dorchester, Massachusetts by a man name Samuel German? Learn fun facts about, and more importantly, delicious recipes for our favorite all-American cakes like red velvet, devil’s food cake, and Boston cream pie.

Artisan Breads
Do you enjoy a crunchy crust? How about a soft luxurious crumb? In this class, explore the bread making process, learn about different types of yeast, flour, and methods to incorporate in your most artisanal bread loaves. Practice using a variety of tools and techniques to enhancing your abilities to the next level in this intermediate workshop.

Baking with Whole Grains (2 Week Workshop)
Breads and pastries made with whole grains are not only more nutritious, but also taste great! Join us series to learn to incorporate a variety of whole grains and seeds into your baking.

British Bakeshop
Come explore recipes from the PBS show The Great British Baking Championship! If you are passionate about baked goods (or British television), this class is a must. Discover the secrets to making several desserts from Pastry Chefs Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood that have puzzled the show’s contestants and entertained us all.

Cake Decorating 101
Curious about all those different piping tips your decorating set came with? Take your cake making skills to the next level with intricate decorative techniques. In addition to learning traditional buttercream, chocolate glazes, and royal icing, you will learn how to make various designs: roses, basketweave, leaves, and more. It’s time to shine brightly, cake makers of the world!

Cake Decorating with Fondant (2 Day Workshop)
Decorating cakes with fondant offers endless design possibilities. Develop your skills enough and you can build masterpieces to satisfy all occasions. Join us for a two-day workshop exploring the basics of handling, storing, and coloring fondant to create a sweet work of art to bring home.

Caramels and Chocolates (2 Day Workshop)
Step into your own little confections shop of sweet and salty, rich and chewy caramel and chocolates. Filled with recipes to satisfy every sweet tooth, this two-day workshop covers the techniques for making perfectly chewy caramels and shiny tempered chocolates that yield a satisfying snap when you bite into them.

Gluten-Free Bakeshop
Have you been dreaming of gluten-free baked goods that actually taste good? Tired of gluten-free products that sacrifice texture and taste? If so, then look no further. Join us and learn the secrets to successful and delicious gluten-free baking with recipes for coffeecake, biscuits, quiche, waffles, and more. By the end of class, you’ll be saying, “I can’t believe that’s gluten-free!”

Gluten-Free Breads
We’ve come a long way in the science of gluten-free baking! In this intensive baking class, discover the essentials of gluten-free bread making. Experiment with a variety of recipes utilizing specialty grains, binders, and emulsifiers to get a beautiful crust and gluten-free crumb.

Hole in One! Doughnuts
Do nut try this at home until you’ve taken this class. Learn to make classic cake and yeast doughnuts, as well as some favorites from around the world. Want to start your day with fresh apple cider doughnuts, jelly doughnuts, or zepolle? After taking this class, you’ll have all the skills (and desire!) to turn your kitchen into a doughnut-lover’s dream.

Pate a Choux Workshop
There are many superheroes in the pastry lineup (think buttercream, meringue, and the perfect pie crust), but none are as versatile and easy to master as Pate a Choux, or choux paste. This classic French dough is the key to delicious eclairs, cream puffs, profiteroles, and gougeres, and it comes together with simple ingredients, a practiced technique, and no specialty equipment. Practice a range of applications for this versatile dough and learn why it’s the perfect go-to for appetizers and desserts at your next gathering!

Pies 101
It’s never too early to get your pie game on. In this one-day workshop, attendees will learn how to make a perfect, flaky, tender pie dough. You will learn important techniques like blind baking (and if you really need to or not). We’ll show you how to make a delicious filling and of course, the toppings that accompany them. Don’t let the holidays sneak up on you this year! Get those rolling pins out and bake!

Quick and Easy Croissants
Traditional croissants are a labor of love, made over two or three days with alternating cycles of resting, rolling, folding, and shaping. While we think they’re well worth the time and effort, sometimes the craving for a warm, freshly baked croissant is too strong! Join us to learn how to make quick croissants from scratch in just one day – you and your friends will be saying “ooo la la” in no time.

Sensational Summer Desserts
Summer desserts are hot, hot, hot! Learn a variety of techniques and tricks to make your next summer picnic or grill out sweeter than ever. Unique and delicious recipes include cheesecake cake pops, margarita mousse, and grilled peaches with mascarpone. And don’t forget our favorite summer staple: ice cream sandwiches from scratch!

Sweets for My Mom
Nothing says “I love you” quite like homemade food. Instead of flowers, treat your Mom to something sweet this Mother’s Day. Start her day with breakfast in bed, serve her an elegant tea midday, and top off the day with a box of homemade caramels and truffles.

Cooking Couples Cinco De Mayo
As vibrant and exciting as the country’s culture, authentic Mexican food is famous around the world for its bold flavors and elaborate ties to festivals and events. Commemorate the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla with a fun night of cooking as we recreate some of Mexico’s most authentic and memorable dishes!

Cooking Couples Oktoberfest
While the world’s largest Volkfest (beer festival) is best known for its beer and Bavarian costumes, Oktoberfest also brings some fantastic German cuisine to the spotlight each fall. If you can’t make it to Munich, join us for an evening of our favorite dishes to pair with beer from bratwurst to schnitzel, and chase it all down with a pint or two.

Cooking Couples Seasonal
Our seasonal cooking classes feature techniques and flavors best suited for each season, highlighting local ingredients from New England. Each class presents recipes that show off our favorite vegetables and fruits when they hit peak flavor, so you can create impressive, seasonally-appropriate multi-course meals every time of year. Learn the techniques with your partner and head to your local produce stand, farmer’s market, or CSA and put these recipes to test at home!

Easy as Pie (Thanksgiving Blitz Baking Workshop)
Never take credit for someone else’s pie again! Come join our chefs at CSCA for a rapid-fire version of Pies 101 just in time to wow your Thanksgiving dinner crowd. Learn the fundamentals of pie making and how to show off a brag-worthy pastry! This class will cover double crust pies (think apple and cherry) and custard pies (think pumpkin and pecan) and you will go home with one of each to serve at your holiday gathering.

Gifts from the Kitchen
Are you looking for more creative gift ideas? We think the best presents are the ones you can eat, so we collected crowd pleasing recipes that can be packaged neatly for thoughtful, heartfelt gifts. Make your choice of individual sized, sweet and savory treats to share with your friends and family or keep all to yourself – we won’t tell!

Ginger Bread Workshop (2 Day Workshop)
Build an edible holiday centerpiece and let your inner architect shine during this two-day gingerbread workshop. Blow your friends and family away with your delectable creation, which can adorn your home through the holidays. Just don’t forget to eat it too!

Holiday Appetizers
Every great host or hostess knows the trick to keeping early party arrivers out of your kitchen (and out of your way) is to place snacks and appetizers in another room. Learn to make a few of our favorites like choux puffs with gorgonzola, bacon and chutney wraps, duck spring rolls with plum dipping sauce, and grilled shrimp cocktail to keep your guests occupied.

Holiday Cookies – Just in the St. Nick of Time
Get a head start making your holiday cookies, and this year, make them the best they’ve ever been! We know how busy it can be this time of year, so we’ve got you covered. Learn to roll, cut, decorate, and freeze these show-stopping make-ahead cookies for your holiday get together. Some recipes include stained glass cookies, chocolate peppermint cookies, cherry pistachio biscotti, and gingerbread people.

Thanksgiving 2.0
Forget the Butterball Turkey helpline! CSCA has the answer to all your turkey questions and the recipes to enhance your Thanksgiving. In this hands-on class, prepare all the fixings to make your Thanksgiving easier and more delicious than ever. Practice some new techniques and recipes for your big feast or gather your favorite foodies to celebrate “Friendsgiving” with us.

Valentine’s Day Bakeshop
Enjoy some decadence in the name of love with our favorite chocolate and berry filled sweets. Treat yourself to a day of baking and indulging or bring your sweetie for a romance-fueled baking class. Whether solo or coupled, these delicious treats will have you falling in love at first bite!

Cooking Couples Wine and Dine
Learn the basics of wine from production to grape varietals, and discover tips for storing, tasting, and reading the label. Hone your cooking skills as you prepare classic dinner dishes and then enjoy and analyze course by course pairings to discover firsthand the dos and don’ts of pairing reds, whites, sparkling, and sweet wines with food.

Cooking Couples Wine and Dine BBQ
Learn the basics of wine from production to grape varietals, and discover tips for storing, tasting, and reading the label. Hone your cooking skills as you prepare classic barbecue recipes and then enjoy and analyze course by course pairings to discover firsthand the dos and don’ts of pairing reds, whites, and sparkling wines at a summer cookout.

Cooking Couples Wine and Dine Cinco de Mayo
As vibrant and exciting as the country’s culture, authentic Mexican food is famous around the world for its bold flavors and elaborate ties to festivals and events. Commemorate the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla with a fun night of cooking and wine tasting as we recreate some of Mexico’s most authentic and memorable dishes to pair with wines!

Cooking Couples Wine and Dine – Pasta and Prosecco
Two of life’s greatest treats – pasta and prosecco! Transport yourself to Italy through the wines, pasta, and stories shared throughout the evening. Make fresh pasta by hand and create many dishes featuring different sauces and fillings to pair with Italian wines, including our favorite bubbly, at every course.

Cooking Couples Wine and Dine – Red White and Rose
Once patio season in Boston reaches full swing, it’s really time to break out the rosé. Made by letting the grape juice soak with the skins for a very short period (the process that gives red wine it’s color), rosé falls between red and white wines in style and lends itself to a vast range of food pairings. Explore the differences in style and color, best pairing practices, and tricks for enjoying pink wine all summer and into fall.

Cooking Couples Wine and Dine – Spanish Wine and Tapas
Experiencing tapas like the Spanish is as much about being social as it is about food. Locals shift bars, enjoying a glass of wine and the specialty tapas bite at each place. Learn about the lifestyle while preparing several classic tapas recipes and relaxing with a guided wine tasting during this informative and festive class. The wines from the region meld beautifully with the bold, simple flavors of the food.

Cooking Couples Wine and Dine – Sparkling Wine and Bubbly
The bubbly in this class doesn’t just tickle your nose – it tickles your palate! Sparkling wines have a reputation as aperitifs, but they can make a fabulous pairing at any point in a summer meal. Learn to prepare and pair several dishes with sparkling wines. Each recipe will be paired with an affordable yet flavorful sparkling wine and you’ll discuss the pairings and thought behind each match so you can replicate the concept at home.

Cooking Couples Wine and Dine – Sushi and Sake Pairing
Explore the world of Sake (Japanese rice wine) and sushi during this fun and informative class. Discover some of the intricacies that make Sake one of the world’s most delicate yet also robust forms of alcohol. Make several types of sushi and miso-goji berry ice cream (a fan favorite!), before settling in for a guided tasting as you explore the flavors in Sake and best pairing practices.

Wine Tasting Basics
Wondering what to drink with dinner tonight? Join Chef and Certified Sommelier Marc Sierra for an in-depth discussion of some of the most famous grape varietals in the world. He’ll guide you through some wine tasting basics, give an overview of grape varieties and several of the key wine regions of the world, and offer insight into pairing wines with food.

Wine Tasting: Old and New World (Two-Day Series)
Do you know your way around a wine label? Can you navigate a wine list at a restaurant? Join Wine & Spirit Education Trust diploma graduate Chef Jenifer Murray for a two-week overview of wines from around the globe. During this two-week discussion and tasting, explore staple wines of the Old World and novel creations of the New World. Compare style and character as you taste representatives of both worlds and explore classic pairings. You’ll uncover the influence of terroir and the logic behind the phrase: “If it grows together, it goes together.”